Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
  • B63B3/10—Armoured hulls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
  • B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
  • B63B7/08—Inflatable
  • B63B7/082—Inflatable having parts of rigid material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
  • B63G9/00—Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels against submarines, torpedoes, or mines
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
  • F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
  • F41H5/013—Mounting or securing armour plates
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
  • B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
  • B63B7/08—Inflatable
  • B63B7/085—Accessories or mountings specially adapted therefor, e.g. seats, sailing kits, motor mountings
  • B63B7/087—Motor mountings, e.g. transom panels for outboard motors

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to armored or otherwise protected objects and more particularly to inflatable boats or oilier vehicles or objects with anti-ballistic panels or other shields that are inflatable for use.
• the present invention attempts to ameliorate adverse effects associated with these hazardous operations by providing armored protective panels principally, but not exclusively, for inflatable boats.
• the panels When deployed, the panels are designed to impede progress of at least some bullets or other projectiles, reducing the likelihood of their impacting either personnel within the boats or the boats themselves.
• use of the panels provides no guarantee of safety, their existence may render some situations less hazardous and improve the possibility of successful missions occurring.
• Protective panels of the present invention additionally may themselves be inflatable. As a consequence, they need not always be deployed. Instead, they may remain deflated until needed, hence not normally ndering navigation or performance of the boats. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention the panels need not all be inflated simultaneously, hence permitting deployment of only selected panels when desired.
• panels of the invention may be designed to fold or otherwise collapse into rolls when not inflated.
• the rolls may be fastened to the tubes (or other suitable portions) of their corresponding watercraft, using straps or other appropriate fasteners, so as to secure them in place for subsequent use.
• Positioning the panels in this manner maintains the general aerodynamic and hydrodynamic profiles of the boat, so that presence of the undeployed panels typically does not significantly impact navigation or speed.
• the panels are designed so as not to impact maneuverability or speed of most vehicles appreciably.
• the anti-ballistic materials may be incorporated into the panels or positioned wholly or partially within pockets formed, preferably, on exterior surfaces of the panels.
• the materials could be made to be removable and replaceable if desired.
• rigid anti-ballistic materials such as ceramic plates
• radar-absorbing (“stealth”) or other energy-absorbing or non-anti-ballistic materials could be placed in the pockets (or incorporated into the panels) if appropriate or desired.
• the invention includes as among its features the ability to support, using inflatable components, various types of materials to provide objects with myriad kinds of protection.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially-schematicized view of an exemplary watercraft with a protection system of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the protection system prepared for deployment.
• FIG. 3 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the rear panel of the protection system deployed.
• FIG. 4 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the rear and side panels of the protection system deployed.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematicized view of a portion of the watercraft of FIG. 1 showing the collapsible nature of the protection system.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematicized view of a portion of the watercraft of FIG. 1 showing a support for a side panel of the protection system.
• FIG. 1 Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary boat 10, which may be similar to any of those depicted in the Ferronniere patent. Boat 10 need not be configured thusly, however, but rather may have any suitable shape and structure. Indeed, as those skilled in the art will recognize, boat 10 need not necessarily be of the pneumatic or inflatable type.
• boat 10 preferably is inflatable, with one or more inflatable tubes 14 defining port and starboard legs 18 and 22 and front or bow 26. Also depicted in FIG. 1 are floor 30 and transom 34, each spanning the distance between legs 18 and 22. Transom 34, positioned at or adjacent the stern of boat 10, is adapted to receive an outboard motor or similar propulsion device, while floor 30 typically is rigid to help support troops, equipment, or cargo.
• Each of legs 18 and 22 defines an exterior side (18 A and 22 A, respectively; see also FIGS. 5-6) and an interior side (18B and 22B, respectively).
• optional fittings, hand grips, rails, and lanyards may, if present, be glued or connected to or placed about both exterior sides 18A and 22A and interior sides 18B and 22B of legs 18 and 22.
• fittings in the form of D-rings advantageously will be present.
• System 50 may comprise side sections 54 and 58 as well as rear section 62. In some versions of the invention, system 50 may also comprise a front section, although deploying such a section may adversely impact the visibility of the pilot when boat 10 is travelling forward. Alternatively, system 50 may include only rear section 62 or only either or both of side sections 54 and 58. System 50 typically may be installed quickly and easily on boat 10, with its attachment usually sufficiently simple to permit retrofitting of existing boats. Depending on the manner in which boat 10 is configured, each side section 54 or 58 conceivably could include more than one panel. FIG. 2 illustrates two panels 54A and 54B comprising section 54, for example. Likewise, depicted in FIG.
• FIGS. 2 are two panels 58A and 58B comprising section 58. Again, however, more or fewer panels may form either of these sections 54 or 58. Similarly, although rear section 62 beneficially may comprise a single panel 62A, multiple panels alternatively may be employed.
• FIG. 1 shows system 50 in its deflated state, with each of panels 54A-B, 58A-B, and 62A collapsed.
• the panels 54A-B, 58A-B, and 62A may be rolled or folded for stowage until needed for use.
• FIG. 5 details, as an example, panel 54B collapsed into a roll generally on top of leg 18 but positioned slightly toward exterior side 18A. As so collapsed, panel 54B may be maintained in this position using straps 66 connecting to D-rings present as part of boat 10. Alternatively, other fasteners may be used.
• panel 54B To deploy panel 54B, corresponding straps 66 are removed, as shown in FIG. 2. Although underside 70 of panel 54B remains attached to leg 18 (as shown in FIG. 6) using straps or other fasteners, removing straps 66 permits panel 54B to expand through inflation. Thereafter, panel 54 A is inflated, producing the relatively inflexible structure illustrated in FIG. 6. Clear from FIG. 6 is that panel 54B, when inflated, covers much of exterior side 18A of leg 18 above the waterline. Panel 54B also extends well above the top of leg 18, providing cover for personnel sitting, kneeling, reclining, or possibly even standing in boat 10.
• FIG. 3 depicts rear panel 62A when inflated and deployed as a rear anti-ballistic shield. As so deployed, panel 62A extends sufficiently rearward of transom 34 as to provide some protection for any outboard motor mounted to the transom 34. Straps, ropes, or any other suitable fastening mechanism may be used to connect panel 62A to boat 10.
• FIG. 4 details exemplary system 50 as fully inflated, with each of panels 54A-B, 58A-B, and 62A designed to provide at least some armored protection of both boat 10 and its occupants from certain projectiles or other hazards. Illustrated respectively in FIGS. 6 and 4 are support panels 74A and
• support panels 74A and 74B may be useful in orienting (and maintaining the orientation of) side panels 54B and 58B when those panels are inflated.
• support panels 74A and 74B are adapted to counteract this effect and maintain panels 54B and 58B generally in the orientations depicted in FIGS. 6 and 4.
• support panels 74A and 74B are inflatable and designed to inflate simultaneously with respective panels 54B and 58B.
• Any suitable inflation system may be used to inflate panels 54A-B, 58A-B, 62A, and 74A-B. As noted earlier, various of the panels may be inflated separately. Alternatively, all, or sets of, panels may be designed to inflate concurrently.
• Each of panels 54A-B, 58A-B, and 62A may be constructed in any manner and, in certain preferred embodiments, of any components capable of providing at least some protection against certain projectiles.
• these types of panels maybe called “anti-ballistic shields.”
• Some embodiments of the panels advantageously may incorporate Kevlar (poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide) or other aramid-containing material or high-density foam within (or attached to) a heavy, tear-resistant polyester, polyamide, or other fabric whose exterior surfaces are coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other material such as Hypalon, Neoprene, or polyurethane.
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• the coated fabric is designed to be substantially impervious to air so as to allow for inflation, and both it and the Kevlar (or other anti-ballistic material) beneficially are selected to be sufficiently flexible to roll, fold, or otherwise collapse for stowage.
• internal stitching within the panel fabric allows inflation to substantial pressure (e.g. 800 mbar) and helps maintain high rigidity thereafter.
• pockets or other containers may be formed in any suitable manner on or in any or all of panels 54A-B, 58A-B, and 62A.
• Anti-ballistic material (whether flexible or rigid) could be wholly or partially positioned within or enclosed by the pockets and, possibly, even adapted to be removable for repair, replacement, or substitution if desired.
• Other materials too could either be positioned within the pockets or incorporated into the panels. Non-limiting examples of these materials include energy-absorbing materials to reduce the radar- or other-signature of boat 10 and materials providing protection against weather, environmental, or marine hazards or conditions.
• the pockets themselves could be formed of any of these materials and, perhaps, camouflaged if desired.
• aspects of the invention relate broadly to inflatable support systems for protective or other materials
• the object to be protected need not necessarily be boat 10 or any other watercraft.
• part or all of innovative system 50 may be adapted for use with other vehicles (such as but not limited to trucks or troop carriers) or stationary objects (such as but not limited to huts or other buildings).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)
• Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
• Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
• Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=29548814

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Cited By (1)

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Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2002
  • 2002-05-23 US US10/154,168 patent/US6666124B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2003
  • 2003-05-01 ES ES03755247T patent/ES2270084T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-05-01 AT AT03755247T patent/ATE336417T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-05-01 AU AU2003225511A patent/AU2003225511B2/en not_active Expired
  • 2003-05-01 EP EP03755247A patent/EP1509443B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-05-01 WO PCT/IB2003/001828 patent/WO2003099647A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2003-05-01 DE DE60307627T patent/DE60307627T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2004
  • 2004-01-16 NO NO20040215A patent/NO20040215L/no unknown

Patent Citations (6)

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